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Filat promises the simplification of the procedure of obtaining small traffic permits

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„It was a very unpleasant situation for me, because our intention was to solve people's problems, not to create new ones. I discussed with the Prime Minister, Emil Boc and the Minister, Vasile Blaga. They are willing to solve the problem and I am sure that we will manage to do it quite soon", stated Filat, on Wednesday, in front of the Consular Department of the Romanian Embassy in Chisinau, accepting applications for small traffic permits, starting from March 1.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the consulates in Balti and Cahul will soon start to operate. At the same time, he emphasized that many of the requirements for obtaining the permit are stipulated in the Small Border Traffic Agreement

The Moldovan Prime Minister announced that representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will go to Bucharest next week and will discus about technical aspects related to issuing small traffic permits for the Romanian border. „I am sure that in the nearest future all these technical issues will not create problems anymore for Moldovan citizens who have the right to travel through the border area of Romania, without visas.", the prime Minister said.

Filat had a short meeting with Petru Litiu, the head of the small traffic permits section within the consulate. The Romanian officer said that all requirements, which make people unhappy, are imposed by the EU. However, according to him, certain requirements may be simplified after negotiations. „If people have relatives in Romania they could only provide proof of the family relation and should not require an invitation. The documents that must be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce could also be excluded „ Litiu suggested.

After the visit to the consulate, during the government meeting, Filat asked responsible ministers to discuss with their counterparts from Bucharest about all problems related to this subject, mentioning that it is necessary to create a commission for this purpose.
He also asked for the organization of an information campaign regarding the established requirements for obtaining this document.

We have to mention that in the period 1-2 March, the consular department from Chisinau registered 120 applications for small traffic permit, but the number of those who came to the consulate was even bigger.

Many of the people who came to submit the papers to the consulate complained of very harsh requirements, but also of the fact that they did not know in advance what the requirements are. Thus, together with identity documents, the applicants must submit papers which prove the justified need for frequent border crossing.

The reason can be „Keeping family relations by visiting relatives". For this purpose the applicant must submit „an invitation, in original, authenticated by a Romanian public notary or by the Consular department of the Embassy, by which the inviting person undertakes to provide accommodation, food, cover eventual medical expenses and/or repatriation".

Another reason is: „Visiting the grave of relatives". For this purpose the following papers need to be submitted: personal typed explanation letter to explain the family relation; documents (original or a notarized copy) confirming the family relation between the applicant and the deceased person; official letter, in original, signed and sealed, from the local authority confirming the fact that the grave is located on the territory of that settlement.

Similar requirements are established for every reason named by people who want to obtain small traffic permit.

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